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The casual narrative style that permeates the book, which concentrates on the thoughts of Caterina and her Italian in-laws, suggests that Caterina's experience of war is quite slight and selfish. Her confused and histrionic ramblings take centre stage, while her efforts to help prisoners of war and Italian runaways is set in the outer wings of the text. Caterina's thoughts and speeches are often left unfinished, so that the reader is left guessing as to what she really wants to say. From descriptions of Caterina as "muddle-headed" and with "the harbour of her brainpan ... connected to all the waters of the world...", it seems that this ambiguity is intentional. But it is ultimately frustrating and dissatisfying. Caterina is a character who never takes solid form, becoming a garbled stereotype of "everywoman", with hysterical desires and fears.
As an imagined "vox pop" on the fears of the liberal intelligentsia in Italy during the Second World War (and sometimes of the fascist gentry and the ordinary working class), Kate Caterina is worthwhile. Riviere attempts to use his historical omniscience to give the story some sort of fateful horror, while also trying to get into the heads of his characters as if in the 1940s, but he does not offer enough in the way of moving characterisation and a sympathetic plot to make a memorable story. --Olivia Dickinson
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. When Kate Fenn marries a young Italian medical student in London in the mid-thirties she finds herself, as Caterina d'Alessandria, in Tuscany when World War II breaks out. With her brother and brother-in-law in opposing armies, a husband imprisoned for his anti-Fascist activities and a small daughter to protect, Kate Caterina struggles to hold on to her sense of identity and her faith in a better future. This is a story of love, sacrifice and betrayal which gives a striking impression of what it was like to live through the war, and especially the civil war, in Italy. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR003442142
Book Description Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780340770382
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Printing. Signed by the author on the title page. DJ is in a mylar cover and is price clipped. Seller Inventory # 115152
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. First Edition.First Printing.Book Condition:A Very Good/Near Fine copy, very gently bumped top and bottom of the spine, internally very clean and bright, tight binding.Dust Jacket Condition:Very Good, gently bumped top and bottom of the spine, price clipped. Seller Inventory # 000115
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